Keeping options open?

**eek** · 3 October 2013, 12:31

Originally posted by Untouchable1 View Post

Hi,

I recently came to the end of my contract so am now looking for new roles.

I have an new offer in hand, but also 2 more interviews lined up which I'd like to attend as they are better rates/more interesting work.

Any suggestions on how I might 'buy some more time' with the first contract so I can have conversations with the other 2?

Thanks in advance.

Umtouchable1

Yes state that you need to send the contract for review (IR35, T&Cs) before signing it. Then apologize when they hassle and promise to chase...

**quackhandle** · 3 October 2013, 12:35

The other two interviews may be more attractive but you ain't nailed on to get the gig. <cliche mode>Bird in the hand and all that.</cliche mode>

You could refuse to take the pimps calls/emails and get the interviews in pretty quick but you'll be pissing them off. (Many on here will say that's not a bad thing.) and you could lose the gig. This is contracting, only you can make the decision what to do.

Good luck.

qh

**BlasterBates** · 3 October 2013, 13:55

Make a decision. It's bad form stringing the client along (forget the agency) they've just interviewed several people, and now they might have to restart the whole thing and delay the project.

Either take the project or be brutally honest and go for the other two, ie. "yeah still interested but going for a better contract", they might still be there. I don't believe in the "subject to contract" excuse. "Yeah I know you agreed to all my terms and conditions but I still don't like it", I mean you may as well be honest.

This is not a permie job it's a 3/6 month contract and you need a new one after it's complete and the client is a good potential customer, don't p** him off.

6 months is over in the blinking of an eye and I don't buy the "project A is more interesting than B" you'll spend most of your time in meetings, code reviews, writing documents and handholding QA. About 3 minutes of your time will be spent writing a new interesting algorithm.

**northernladuk** · 3 October 2013, 15:26

If you are talking maybe a week to 10 days then yes use excuse to get the contract reviewed. Be very very careful not to give the agent the impression you are taking it. Even if you say 'accept subject to contract review' he will see this as acceptance and scurry off to start the paperwork and in his mind it is binding.

If you are talking more than 2 weeks then man up and dump it. Pretty poor form to keep a client and agent hanging for that long. After two weeks your name will be mud and it is more than likely you will get laughed at if you appear back and say ok you will take it. Realistically it will have gone by then anyway so no point stringing them on for over 2 weeks.

**kevpuk** · 3 October 2013, 15:32

Have to agree with others here, there is a limit to how long you can string something out.
That said, I recenty got offered a contract and was all set to take it, but had another iron in the fire.....over the phone, I said to Agent A that I would accept, but would only firm this up subject to contract review and so forth. In the meantime, option 2 came in with an offer - more money, no need to stay away - and I accepted. Immediately contacted Agent A and withdrew - this was 3 business days after verbally accepting - on the grounds that the Onboarding process (it was for FS company with all sorts of complicated checks seemingly) still had not started and I could not hang around. All in all, made my excuse to be down to their tardiness.....a little guilty conscience, but hey-ho!
But - I would not countenance a longer period of playing one off in the hope another came in!

**Untouchable1** · 3 October 2013, 16:16

All,

Thanks for the insight and responses. Resolved.

Cheers,
Untouchable1

Keeping options open?